(Clearwisdom.net) On May 2^nd 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from Dallas, St. Antonio, Austin and Houston participated in the 9^th annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Parade in Midtown, Houston.

Falun Gong procession

Falun Gong procession

Falun Gong wins first prize

The parade was organized by the Houston Asian Pacific American Heritage Association (APAHA), and this year's theme was, "Many Cultures, One World". The executive president Mr. Jerome Vielman said that president Jimmy Carter appointed May as Asian American Month in 1978. APAHA was established in Houston in 1992. Since then, the association continues its efforts to promote Asian Pacific culture through celebration, party, parade and other activities. This year, 28 community groups participated in the parade including the Indian Culture Center, Asian Young Scholars Association, City Council Member Guan Zhengpeng, Houston Community College, Metro Traffic department, the Vietnamese Community and the Korean Community.

Song, a representative of the Falun Gong group said this was their third time participating in the Asian Pacific American Heritage Parade. Last time, they won "Overall Performance Award" and "Best Decorated Float Award."

The Falun Gong group brought bright scenery to the parade. The leading female practitioners held the "Zhuan Falun" book symbols in their hands and they were followed by three practitioners who were holding round tablets with "Truthfulness", "Compassion", "Tolerance" on them. Behind the "Falun Dafa" banner, came the Falun Gong exercise demonstration team. The peaceful practitioners in golden yellow exercise suits stopped from time to time to demonstrate the beautiful exercise to the spectators. Next, a decorated red truck came with two practitioners standing on the back of the truck demonstrating the exercises.

Following the truck, a dozen female practitioners like "celestial maidens" danced to music. They wore Tang Dynasty costumes, and ancient hairstyles. Dignified, natural, and graceful, they smiled and waved to the spectators between the dances. The spectators gave them warm applause.

A few practitioners followed the procession to distribute flyers introducing Falun Gong and explaining the facts about the persecution in China.

When the Falun Gong procession was passing them, the spectators applauded and called out, "Thank you!" "We love you!" and some of them said to the practitioners "So beautiful!"

Some people had their thumbs up, some pressed their hands together to show respect, and some followed the demonstration to do exercise movements and dance postures. Some people thanked the practitioners for bringing the beauty of Chinese traditional culture to them.

Many people thanked the practitioners for giving them the flyers and asked where they could learn the exercises. Some said to the practitioners that the exercises were so beautiful. It was so cruel to persecute the Falun Gong practitioners. They wished the persecution would end soon.

After the parade, the Falun Gong group was awarded first prize. Executive president Vielman thanked the practitioners in person and awarded the cup to them. He took a photo with practitioners and said to Mr. Song, a representative of Falun Gong, "Thank you very much for participating in this parade. Your performance was outstanding. We welcome you to join us next time."